Mechanism control



April 23, 1940. N L 2,197,903,

MECHANISM CONTROL Filed July 7, 1936 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. 50/2/1/6/ 19 5/re// BY BM I A TTORNEYS.

April 3 1940- s. A. SNELL MECHANISM CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 7, 1936 [II/II "III/Illa my T 5 a. m

w m a BY fi/MJ WM A TTORYEYS.

April 23, 1940.

s. A. SNELL MECHANISM CONTROL Filed July 7, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PEI l 5.

Patented Apr. 23, 1940 I Samuel A. Snell, Toledo, OhioQ assignor; byvmesne assignments, to. The Logan Gear Company a corporation of Ohio Application July 7, 193 Serial No. 89,343

Claims 1C1. 14-437) This inventionrelates to a mechanism control and particularly to a lever mechanism of a type adapted for vehicle brake control or other apparatus.

5 The invention contemplates the provision of a lever mechanism for controlling a brake mechanism of a vehicle wherein the lever arrange mentmay be supported adjacent the instmunent boards of a vehicle whereby the lever depends fromits support, the manipulatlngportion thereof being arranged in a position convenient to the vehicle operator.; 7 p

The invention has for an object the provision of a lever construction of this character which 5 may be formed from comparatively thin sheet material into desired strengthening configura tion andthe parts arranged-whereby the cost of assembly and installation is substantially do creased. a p v i v 2 The invention alsoembraces the provision of a lever mechanism incorporating simple and effective means foriretaining or looking the lever in desired operativeposition, which means may be easily and quickly released. t

Another object of the invention is the provision 1 oia clutch mechanism. for holding the lever in adjustedposition which is adapted to be released by a comparatively slight movement of an element associated with the lever member. A furtherobject, residesin the provision of a lever member for operating an emergency brake of avehicle in which a clutch releasing element is pivotally connected with the lever member and overlaps or obscures from'view asubstantialpor- 5 tion. of the grip member of the lever, thus eliminating the necessity for affine finish upon portionsof thev lever member.

Further objects. and advantages are within the scope-ofthis invention such-as relate to the ar- 4o rangement; operation and function of the related elementsof the structure, to various details of construction and to'combinati ons of parts, elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous 'otherfeatures as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and of emergency brake control for automotive vehiand steering post or column I5. I have found it I t Figure 3 is a top plan view of a formof support forming a part of the invention;

Figure 4 is a front elevational View; of the upper portion of the construction illustrated; in Fi re 2; .l i

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially on the line -5-5 of Figure2;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view'taken substantially on the line i-6 of Figure 2; w

Figure '1 is a side elevational view showing a modified form of manipulating arrangement for the clutch mechanism forming apart of my invention;' 4 v Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 88of Figure'l;

Figure 9 is a side elevational view' similar to Figure? showing a modified form of the invention; i a

Figure lOis a front elevational view of the upper portion of the lever construction shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on, the line H--H of Figure 9;

Figure 12'is a transverse sectional view iaken substantially on the line 12-"i2yof Figure 9;" Figure 13 isa sideelev'ational View illustrating a further formoi the invention;

Figure 14 is a vertical sectional view taken substantiallyon the line i l-l4 of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a transverse sectional viewvtaken on the line l5-l5 of Figure 13;

.Figure 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on'the line lG-IB of Figure13; Y VVhile'I have shown the mechanism control of my invention as particularly utilized as ameans g5 cles, it is to be understood that'I contemplate the utilization of'th'e invention with any. type of mechanism where the control may. be found to beusabl'e. v Referring to the drawings indetail andpar- 40 ticularly Figure l, I. have illustrated the forward portion I0 ofan automotive vehicle body. of con- 1 ventional design having a cowl portion iii, a dash portion, l2, toe board l3, instrument panel M,

desirable toposition an emergency brake control mechanism in such'ia manner that the same may be conveniently-operated by the driver of the vehiclenand yet be located in a position which will not impede or handicap the normal driving operations of the operator. In the embodiment of the, invention illustrated, the lever mechanism is, preferably mounted-adjacent the side wall of the vehiclebpdy and is carried. by a supporter 553 of the invention provides a supporting means for the lever mechanism as well as a part of the clutch mechanism. The lever mechanism is inclusive of a lever or lever member 25 whichis" pivotally connected to a uniplanarportion 25 of bracket l9 by means of a bolt or pintle 27 held in place by suitable 'meansas, for example,

a nut 23. Inadvertent removal of the nut is prevented by means of a cotter key 29 cooperating with a castellated formation of the nut 28. The lever member 25 is preferably formed of sheet metal and is generally of aU-shaped configuration as illustrated in Figure 5, throughout a substantial portion of its length-the upper end of the lever terminating in spaced parallel wall portions or projections 30 and 3! which straddle the uniplanar portion 26 of the supporting member l9 as particularly shown in Figures 2 and i.

The lever body 25 extends downwardly from the support and preferably terminates in a handle or grip portion 35, the lever having a curved portion 36 joining the body of the lever to the grip portion which is of a configuration to permit the grip portion to be positioned as close to the vehicle operator as practical. The grip portion of the lever, as shown in Figure 2, is preferably of hollow formation and may be closed at its lower end by means of a cap- 31 flanged as at 38 to hold the same in place upon the grip portion.

The spaced parallel wall portions 30 and 3| of the lever member are provided with openings adapted to receive a pin or pintle 49 upon which is journalled a pawl or clutch element 4| having a tooth or projection 42 cooperating with a clutch surface or series of ratchetshaped teeth 43 preferably formed upon a lower edge of the uniplanar portion 26 of support l9, however, the clutching surface or teeth may constitute an independent member if desired. The pawl and ratchet teeth together form a clutching means for holding the lever member 25 in adjusted position. The lever member. 25 is also provided with openings 32 adapted to accommodate a pin 33 which passes through a clevis member 34 connected to an operating cable 39 which in turn maybe connected to the brake mechanism of the Vehicle (not shown).

The pawl 4| is formed with an extension 46 having an opening 4'! therein to receive an inturned end of an operating rod or link element 49. An opening 48 may be provided in the link 49 to receive an end portion of 'a contractile spring 59, the other end of which is suitably connected to the body portion of the lever member 25, the spring 59 servingfto pull'the projection 45 downwardly and force the tooth 42 into engagement with the ratchet teeth 43. The rodor link 49 preferably extends downwardly toward the curved portion 35 of the lever body and extends through an opening 52 provided in the lever body to permit free movement of' the rod therethrough. I j

Adjacent the handle portion 35 is a spoon shaped clutch or pawl releasingniember 54 which is pivoted thereto as at 53 and is provided with a pair of spaced substantially parallel projections 55 and 56 having aligned openings 51 in their end portions to receive a pin 58 for securing the other end of rod or link 49 to the clutch 49 will be moved upwardly to actuate the pawl I member and move the tooth 42 downwardly and out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 43, thus effecting a release of the vehicle braking elements. As particularly shown in Figures 2 and 6, the member 54 is provided with stop members 59 and 52, the stop 59 being held in engagement with the walls of the lever by the spring 50 to eliminate lost motion and prevent rattling of the parts. Stop member 62 limits the movementof member 54 toward pawl releasing position upon engagement of handle portion 35.

Referring now to Figures '7 and 8 another form of releasing mechanism has been illustrated wherein the handle portion 60 of the lever member 5| is partially surrounded by a deeply spoon shaped element 63, which is pivoted to the handle and secured to the pawl releasing connection in a. manner similar to that above'described in connection with Figure 2. The handle portion 50 is formed by folding the walls of the lever into proper configuration-and holding the same in place by suitable means such as welding. v In this form of the invention, as shown in Figure 8, it will be noted that the handle portion 60 terminates in an open ended hollow handle portion 54 which arrangement provides a simple yet effective grip portion. Such an arrangement is possible due to the fact that the lower extremity of the element 63 practically encloses the end of the handle portion 60 in substantially all of its operating positions. handle portion 60 and an interior wall of the spoon element 63 is a spring 66 in the form of a tension plate preferably secured to the handle, a convenient method of securing the spring in place such as riveting being employed. The spring 66 in this instance also serves to eliminate lost motion or rattling of the parts. Although a flat type spring has been illustrated, other types of springs may be used if desired.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 to 12, inclusive, a bracket or support l9 similar to the bracket previously describedv may be employed in which a plurality of openings 22' have been provided to secure the bracket to a convenient portion of the vehicle. The lever mechanism includes a lever member 25 formed of sheet metal, the upper portion of which terminates in a pair of substantiallyparallel wall portions or projections 30 and 3|, straddling the uniplanar portion 26' p of the bracket. l9, the end portions of projections 30' and 3| having openings therein to receive a bolt 2'| upon which may be threaded nut 28' suitably locked thereon by means of a cotter key 29 whereby the lever 25' is pivoted upon the support. I9.

nected to a portion of the projections 30' and 3| by means of a suitable pin 1 I, the pawl being provided with a tooth or projection 12 engageable with the ratchet teeth 'or clutch surface 13 formed on the uniplanar portion of the support [9. An operating rod or link element"15 is connected'to the pawl luthrough'a'n opening 16 adjacent the tooth portion 12 and in this form of the invention the rod 15 preferably ex Positioned between the a 9.5 A pawlor clutch member 191s pivotally con tends toward the lever member 25 and then outwardly terminating within and suitably secured to a releasing-or manipulating element '18. The releasing element 18 is preferably spoon shaped andis provided with a pair of projections which are pivotally connected to the .lever member 25' adjacent' its handle portion 35'. The member '18- is preferably formed with a lip or ledge portion 19 having an opening therein to receive the end of. rod 75 which is provided with a head portion 8! to retain the rod in position.- Ledge T9 also lserves as a stop means for limiting the return movement of member '13. Inorder to insure engagement between the tooth 72. of pawl '10.- and the ratchet teeth 13a spring 80 is suitably connected to the pivot member H .and'to the clutch operating rod 15, suchan arrangement serving to urge the rod Hand thus the pawl l2 upwardly. A. convenient method of seeming the spring Bllto the pivot H and rod 15 is through themedium of small openings 13 and E6. in the pin. and rod respectively and through which openingsthe endsofthespring as :are projected andretained.

.The member 18' is preferably provided with inwardly projecting lugs or portions 8;!- asparticularly illustratedin Figures9 and 12 forming stop means for limiting. the pivotal movement o.member .78 toward pawl releasing position. With this arrangement the liability of; an.0per-. ators. glove to'become caught between thegrip" member and the pawl releasing member is minimized. The lever member 25' is also provided with openings 32 adapted to accommodate a pin ,331 which passes through a clevis member 3.4. connected to a brake operating cable 39' whichdnturn may be connect-ed to, the brake mechanism; of thevehicle (not shown).

-.;In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures-131:0 16, inclusive, a bracket or support flfl carries. the lever arrangement and forms a portion of the clutch mechanism. The lever mechanism is inclusive of a lever or lever mem .ber 95.which is pivotally connectedto a uniplanar portion 96. of the brackettil by means such as abolt SJ .heldin place by a nut 93. Thenut 38 isretained on the bolt by means-of a cotter key 99- and inadvertent removal isthus prevented. The leverbody Q'-isformed of; folded. sheet metal and is of a configuration having an intermediate portion flattened or compressed together to form a bar like portion 95'. The upper portion of the lever preferably terminates in a pair of substantially parallel wall portions or projections I and I0! and included between the projections is a member 99'. The lever in this form of the invention is arranged at one side of the bracket 90. By the utilization of a member 99' between the projections I00 and i0! 2. longer bearing is provided for the bolt 91.

The lever 95 extends downwardly and termi nates in a hand grip or handle portion m of hollow configuration, the handle portion I05 being preferably slightly ofiset from the axis of the body portion of the lever so as to permit the same to be positioned as close to the vehicle operator as practical. The lower end of the handle portion may be closed by means of a cap I01 flanged as at 198 to hold the same in place upon the lower extremity of the grip portion.

The spaced projections E08 and ill! of the lever body and the member 99 are provided with openings adapted to receive a pin l2!) upon which is journalled a pawl member I2! having a tooth or projection I22 cooperating with a series of ag-loweredge portion of thehracket 9B, the pawl 'and'ratchetf. teeth cooperating toform a. clutching means for holding the lever ,member.95 in" I adjusted position. 'Openings lllz'are providedin ratchetteeth 123 or clutch surface formed upon thelever. body 95'to accommodate a pin I03 to which is. connected a-clevis member HM con nected'to an operating cable IE9 which is in turn connected to the braking mechanism shownl of. the vehicle. l

. .The pawl I2! is formed with an extension I26 having .an opening I21 therein to receive. an

end portion of a spring member I38; the other I f end. ofwhich is suitably connectedto an operating rod or link I29. The spring serves to urge the pawl, into engagement, with the ratchet teeth and-also to place a stress or tension upon the severalelements of the pawl releasing mechanism to eliminate vibration or. rattling of theparts. The, pawl L2 1; is provided with an opening I28 'adjacent'the tooth l22;to receive an angularly (not disposed endgof. the rod 29. -The rod I29 ex p,

tends. downwardly and is secured within an opening I in a spoon shaped releasing member: I35 pivotally connected to the lever body asat 136. The rod I29 is provided with a head portion 138 to retain the rodrin operative connection with the releasing member. As in the other ,forms of. the invention, thejprojection I22 is released frornengag'ement with the ratchetteethbysqueezing the handle portion of the lever member and the releasingmember E34 together which action moves the rod 829 downwardly and thus withdraws-the pawl from engagement with the ratchetteeth. 'In thisform of the invention the control rod me lies substantially parallel to the; lever body 95 being spaced therefrom a sufii cient distance to prevent rattling of the metallic space: practicable for a mechanism control of this character. i

llt is-apparent' that, within the scope-bf the invention; modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein dis-.

closed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all-variations thereof. What I claim is:

. 1. In combination, a mechanism control including a support having a serrated portion; a lever member formed of sheet metal having portions straddling said support and pivotally con nected thereto; pawl means pivotally carried by said lever member and engageable with the serrated portion of said support; a pawl releasing member of substantially U-shaped cross section pivotally connected to said lever member, said pawl releasing member being pivoted adjacent the lower portion of said lever member; a projection on-saidpawl means; a link connected between said projection and said pawl releasing member; said link passing through an opening in a wall of, said lever and resilient means. coacting with said pawl means for normally urging said pawl releasing member to one position.

2. In combination, a mechanism control including a support having a serrated portion; a lever member formed of sheet metal having portions straddling said support and connected thereto; pawlmeans pivotally carried by said lever member and engageable with the serrated portion of said support; a pawl releasing member connected to said lever member, said pawl releasing member having a hand grip portion adjacent the lower portion of said lever member; a connecting rod between said pawl means and said pawl releasing member passing through an opening in said lever member; and spring means for normally urging said pawl means into engagement with the serrated portion of said support.

3. In combination, a mechanism control including a support having ratchet teeth; a sheet metal lever member of substantially U-shaped configuration throughout a major portion of its length, said lever member having projecting side wall portions straddling said support and pivotally connected thereto; pawl means carried by said lever member and cooperating with a serrated portion of said support to form lever retaining means; a pawl releasing member pivotally connected to said lever member and having a U-shaped lower portion partially surrounding the lower portion of said lever member; and an operating link between said pawl means and said pawl releasing member.

4. In combination, a brake mechanism control including a support having a plurality of ratchet teeth on a depending edge thereof; a lever member pivoted at its upper extremity to the support and having a grip portion formed at its lower end; a clevis member pivotally connected to said lever intermediate its ends and adapted to be connected to a brake mechanism; pawl means connected to the lever member intermediate the point of pivotal connection of the lever with the support and its grip portion, said pawl means being arranged for cooperation with the teeth on said support to hold the lever in adjusted position; a manipulating member for actuating said pawl means pivotally connected to the levenmember and having a hand grip portion coextensively arranged with the grip portion of said lever member; an actuating rod connecting said pawl means and said manipulating member; resilient means for normally urging said pawl means into engagement with the teeth upon said support; said pawl actuating memberhav s ing stop means for limiting the pivotal movement thereof towards and away from grip portion of said lever.

5. In combination, a mechanism control including a support having a downwardly extending toothed edge portion; a lever member of the second order formed of sheet material having parallel portions straddling said support and pivotally connected thereto; said lever depending from said support, said lever member terminating at its lower portion in a grip portion, said lever member being of U-shaped configuration throughout a major portionof its length; a pawl pivotally mounted upon said lever between the side walls thereof and, adaptedfor engagement with the toothed portion of said support; a manipulating handle pivoted to the lower portion of said lever member, said handle having a stop for limiting its pivotal movement toward the grip portion of said lever; a link connecting said handle and said pawl; and 'a coil spring coacting with said pawl and having one end connected to the body portion of said lever for normally urging said pawl member into engagement with the teeth on said support.

6. In combination, a mechanism control including a support having a vertically arranged uniplanar portion; said uniplanar portion having a toothed edge portion; a lever member formed of sheet material pivotally connected at its upper extremity to said support and depending therefrom, said lever member terminating at its lower portion in a hollow grip portion; a mechanism actuating element connected to said lever between its point of connection with the support and the grip portion, said lever member being of U-shaped configuration throughout a major portion of its length; a pawl pivoted to said lever member between its pivotal connection with said support and the grip portion and adapted for engagement with the teeth of said support; a pawl actuating member pivoted to saidlever member; a link connecting said pawl and said pawl actuating member, said link passing through an opening in a wall of said lever; and a coil spring having its ends acting respectively on said pawl and said lever for normally urging the pawl into engagement with the teeth on the support.

SAMUEL A. SNELL. 

